I like the new sweater and shoes, but I can't get over how good your natural waves look on you. Stunning.

I found that when my hair started to go grey and I stopped blowdrying it straight it took some experimenting to figure out how to handle the new texture. My hair is fine and wavy, although I can coax it to look curly right after shampooing or if the humidity is high. Most products suggested for curls were just too heavy for my fine hair. I've had the best results using Pureology Volume shampoo and conditioner even though the product is supposedly designed for color-treated hair and I've never dyed my hair in my life. Most shampoos recommended for curly/wavy hair just flattened my waves and made my hair look clumpy instead of wavy. And the trend towards not shampooing left me with an awful mess; my fine hair needs washing every day or two to look bouncy and healthy.
http://www.pureology.com/syste.....areshampoo

After shampooing and conditioning (I use only a tiny amount of conditioner--a bottle last for ages!), I towel dry and then mix a dab of Osis Curl Me Soft with a couple of drops of L'Anza Smoother into the palms of my hands and work that into my hair trying to get most of near the ends instead of the roots.
http://www.amazon.com/Schwarzk.....B00A4GI4UI
http://www.amazon.ca/Lanza-Hea...../190-60491

I've found that using a tiny amount of curl cream mixed with a smoother defines the waves without flattening them. I'm sure there are lots of other products that could sub in for my two but I did find that mixing gave me better results than either product did alone. Weird, but true.

I LOVE your hair, I didn't realise you were straightening it.
The outfit is fab too, the scarf is gorgeous, but did I say I love your hair?

Gaylene, thank you so much! That's the kind of specific advice I need. It sounds like our hair is very, very similar, right down to the conditions required to make it curl all the way. (You should have seen me in the Puerto Rican rain forest). Silicone products tend to be too heavy for my hair, rendering it greasy by the end of the day. It's fine and now much thinner than it was when I was younger. And the non-pigmented hairs are positively weightless! There is nothing I can do to smooth them down that lasts. I've tried using baking soda to cleanse with a vinegar rinse, only shampooing once a week, but in the summer with swimming that doesn't work. I will be experimenting a lot, I'm sure.

Great hair!
I like the Loft sweater! I had a hard time deciding on how loose to get the fit so I gave up but came home with a cotton button-front ( and I had sworn off of them!) because I really liked the fabric.

The shoes look like a great update, but tell me how we are to reconcile style with comfort--including concern about whether feet will suffer some more permanent changes in the wrong styles. I have found 2 somewhat pointy flats I can wear pretty well, but still get the best long-day mileage out of my AGL round toe ballet flat (have not tried their new pointy versions) and have even considered duplicating in a different color and just working with it. What to do?

Claire, it's always a pleasure to read one of your posts!

All 3 purchases are Fab and the wave in your hair is pretty.

In May, I finally went to a stylist who specializes in curly haircuts and I'm so pleased with the results! She cut it dry, curl by curl. (This took 1 hour) then she spent some time showing me how to wash it and apply product with minimum curl disturbance. Then because my hair is thick, I needed to sit under the hairdryer for 45 min. (At home, I just air dry.) I now wear my hair down even when it's hot!

Pic is 3 days after the cut without adding any additional product.

caro, I could get by with just a blow-out in the winter, when we have 0% humidity. In high summer we have a Monsoon (or rainy) season and that's when it gets wavy.

unfrumped, these shoes are not uncomfortable, but I will not be asking them to perform at the level of the AGL ballet flat (I've just added a natural tan pair that work as a nude for me). I will spend more of my dollars on the most comfortable shoes. These DVs were cheap and I don't predict they'll get heavy wear, but we'll see how they break in. They might be a nice option for a few summer events.

ETA:

AJ, that is amazing, because you have super-duper thick curls! What a great haircut. I'm sure it was time and money well spent. Your hair looks so much lighter and bouncier. Is it a whole lot shorter? I can't tell.

Love your finds! Great prices, and look like they will slot in so wonderfully.

I'm a sucker for a unique and interesting pattern that also works with the rest of my wardrobe -- like your floral. If you don't snap them up (assuming all else is in order) you don't see them again.

The hair product I'm really loving right now is KMS silk sheen styling cream, but I'm mostly brushing it into wet hair and letting it dry straight or with slight waves, it's good at handling frizzies though.

Claire your hair is gorgeous left wavy I totally love the drama from the darker eyewear/eyes against the light hair, wow. I hear you on the thin fine hair, mine is the same way -- most products are too heavy for me, too. My current curl product (Oribe Curl Mousse) is definitely not on the value end but it's wonderfully light; if you blow dry, it handily has a heat treatment built in. It also coaxes out more curls than would otherwise be there, I seriously love this stuff. When my hair was longer I used Bumble and Bumble's fine curl cream mixed with some water to dilute it; it's certainly heavier, though a little goes a long way so the bottle lasts a looooong time. For conditioning, I've been using Ion's Extreme Cleansing Conditioner which I get for pretty cheap at Sally's; it adds pretty good dose of moisture in and I'm really liking it. I've also got a little spray bottle that has a dallop of the conditioner along with water that I use to help keep flyaways under control and to add a little extra moisture when needed. I recently tried their curl conditioner and it's MUCH heavier, so I'll be switching back to the cleansing one.

I adore those flats, I think I have the same ones but with a creamy snakeskin front (I added my find, the same right?). The iridescent version is soooo pretty! Great sweater and scarf on you, what wonderful finds.

WowowwowowowowZA!!!!!

I have been looking forward to this post and I am not disappointed. You look spectacular, Claire. I adore your new hair! It's so freeing to go with the natural texture and let it be. And how interesting, the way it changes your look. This is just lovely on you, and works especially well with the tendril pattern on the (fabulous) new top! That is a sensational choice for you. I also LOVE the shoes and scarf -- as you probably guessed I would since I have a similar one.

Wow, Claire, the shopping gods are ever in your favor! That sweater really suits you, and clearly the scarf was destined to be yours. Love the flats and new 'do, too. You're looking great!

Thanks everyone for the hair product ideas. I was just at the grocery store buying bananas (gotta make a run for bananas every other day--they don't last in this house!) and I found myself in the hair care aisle. I had some argon oil shampoo and conditioner in my cart but then I spied some As I Am Coconut CoWash in the ethnic section. Intrigued, I stood there and read the label. I think it works like Wen, as it's a cleansing conditioner. I rubbed some on my fingers and it was not heavy or greasy at all, so I bought that instead. It wasn't expensive, and I can return it if it doesn't work out. We shall see.

Aida, you are the poster child for what healthy natural beauty looks like! Your hair is so deceiving because it looks so thick. If I hadn't touched it, I wouldn't believe you when you say it's thin/fine.
I think your shoes are slightly different. Mine have a thick ankle strap that does not adjust and they zip up the back. I love the snake pattern on yours.

Thank you rabbit, Suz and Alison!

Wow, Claire you look stunning and your finds are great on you. That blue color was made for you. Fantastic!!

Another vote for coconut oil for your hair - not the fancy stuff, just a jar of the straight goods from the cooking oils section at the health food store will do the job - that stuff is a miracle product.

Thanks for sharing and looking forward to reading more about your 10 item wardrobe! Going to look for some of your older posts now.

Claire, you and beautiful Joy are so stunning with your gray hair. It looks just gorgeous now.

Your finds are just so perfect for you...you are such a good shopper!

Claire, such great finds, love them all. It was truly meant to be.
I think your hair is gorgeous. I am also taken with your hair up like in picture with the scarf - I don't remember seeing this style on you and really like how it plays up your features.

Claire, you're so beautiful! And aren't "wash and wear" hairstyles great? Love how your look is low maintenance yet still looks so polished and put together!

Love the new pieces you got!

Great finds, Claire, even better that they will work across seasons for you. And your hair, I'm so jealous of the wash and wear style!

Love the one with the scarf. You look good in deep colour.

Thank you, Aida! You have such gorgeous hair that I'm stunned to hear that you belong to the thin, fine club!

And, pretty please, Claire, could you report back on how that As I Am Coconut CoWash works out for you? Sometimes I'm quite happy with letting my hair go its natural way, but, other times, I long for my sleek, blow-dried bob. It was actually easier to style that bob than this wavy/curly look because I never had to use any product--until, of course, I hit heat and humidity!

Hah Gaylene, yes most people don't believe me until, as Claire did, they touch my hair. I'm glad to hear that all the effort I put into making it look as fluffy as possible pays off I don't currently use coconut oil, but when I was little my mom used to use it monthly (along with an egg white mask) and our hair was always super shiny and soft. Hmm, perhaps I should give those a try again...

Claire, gotcha. We're "almost" shoe twins then ^^ Those look like they'd work fabulously with everything, I hope they soften up a bit for you. Thanks for the sweet compliment too <3

Beautifully done, Claire! I love botanical florals, and the combination with the scarf is particularly fab. This print is almost a neutral --- great for you --- as are the amazing flats!

Your hair is doing a lovely job of framing your smile and adding softness movement to your outfits. Brava!

Lookin' fantastic, Claire! Love the low maintenance hairstyle, so flattering and I love the longer length, too. But I've always loved your hair however you style it. All great additions to your wardrobe, too. Especially love the shoes, I can't even wrap my head around the price tag!!! How DO you do it?

Fantastic hair. Wow. So so pretty (in the best way). And great addition to your closet - I still can't get over the ten item situation but I fall at your feet in awe.

Claire, your style keeps getting better and better...I am blown away every time I see your outfits! Love the floral blue and white, like fine china against your pretty skin. And your hair is so lovely with the waves. Can't believe you only have ten items...what a tightly curated masterpiece of a closet!

Love the hair, love the shoes, you look fantastic in every picture Claire! My favorite curl product is Catwalk Curl Amplifier, but I have not tried a lot of different things. I wash with conditioner as my hair is very dry and tends toward frizziness. Any which way you look fab!

It is such a treat to read your posts, Claire. Your new items are fab and your hair looks lovely. I think the slightly longer length and extra volume suits you very well.

What a savvy shopper you are! I like your finds and the new do.

This one is really gorgeous! And your hair is fantastic!

I must move to your area with the great stores...I love the story about you and the scarf...What a find!...
YOur floral sweater is spot on..Perfect for the weather and the style...and the cashmere scarf adds a special touch..
I have plug in hair when the humidity is high...Had it cut..trimmed actually yesterday as our weather was producing a rain storm...Well, my dear, I did look like I had been to the rain forest without a parka...And I had just had a style...
It's what you do with what you got...right...
Smiles to you and thanks for the excellent post...

I so waited for this post, Claire! Your wallpaper print sweater is a real statement item, and it fits you, your style and coloring like a charm!(I also have a print like this on one of my A line skirts). Love the ankle straps, and the all outfit, including that miraculous scarf! Specs, new hair and you in ponytail(??:-)) are also fab!

Keep those new posts comming through!

Wow, you look so glamorous! I lived in AZ for a bit and I sorely miss digging around at Last Chance… I also have several cashmere/wool scarves from that scarf bin… great fun.